BCWF Watershed Team

Members of the City of Vancouver’s engineering department will spend the next several years building and rehabilitating urban wetlands in the Still Creek Watershed, using skills they acquired from a Wetlands Institute workshop last year.  

Sophie Warren and Julie McManus collaborate with the City of Vancouver Parks Board on improving stormwater management and on rainwater treatment within park-based ecosystems, as part of the City’s Rain City Strategy.

Vancouver’s goals for stormwater management include handling rainwater as a resource, reducing demand for potable water through beneficial reuse, and restoring urban watersheds. The Rain City Strategy aims to use wetlands, alternative pavements, rain gardens, and curb bulges for water collection and to improve infiltration. Under this plan, new large buildings will be required to enhance the quality of stormwater before it enters the storm sewer system.  

Sophie and Julie attended the Insitute to learn about wetland builds in other parts of B.C. and apply that knowledge to their own inner-city projects. 

For over two decades, the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s Wetlands Education Program has provided hands-on training to citizens and professionals, enabling them to spearhead watershed projects in their own communities. The Wetlands Institute offers an in-depth course on planning, design, and restoration of wetlands, available at no cost to select B.C.-based applicants.  

At the Wetlands Institute, Julie and Sophie gained insights into wetland conservation and restoration, including the importance of public education and the integration of Indigenous and local knowledge. 

“The power of education should never be underestimated,” said Julie as she reflected on her 10 days in the field. “Individuals who understand the value of wetlands share it with others, which encourages future conservation efforts.” 

“Understanding local history and ecology is fundamental to creating meaningful ecological projects that benefit community, water, and biodiversity.”  

Their training from the Wetlands Institute is now informing work on urban wetland projects in the Still Creek watershed and they plan to share their new skills with their team members.  

An Urban Watershed 

Still Creek is one of three remaining creeks still at the surface in Vancouver. The proposed wetland projects will have a direct impact on the water quality of Still Creek, by treating rainwater runoff before it gets to the creek. Wetland installations in the Still Creek Watershed will also stabilize base flows, which improves the ecological health of the creek. 

For more information about the City of Vancouver’s Rain City Strategy, visit Rainwater integration in the Still Creek watershed | City of Vancouver. 

This story, by Jamie Long (Conservation Stewardship Communications Coordinator), first appeared in the MAR/APR 2023 issue of BC Outdoors Magazine in our member exclusive insert. Become a BCWF member today to get our news delivered directly to your mail box at bcwf.bc.ca/membership.